Adding between-the-glass blinds to your doors and windows can ensure a convenient way to control the amount of light and privacy you want for your home. Offering both style and utility, between-the-glass blinds are a fine addition to your home.
Here’s how to install and replace blinds between the glass
It is a good idea to ask a friend, a family member, or your neighbor to help you out. While it can’t be done solo, having an extra set of hands during the removal and installation can save you from frustration and potential damage to your door glass.
Step-by-step guide for installing blinds between glass:
- Step 1: First remove the screw covers from the existing glass door by securing a drywall screw and popping it out.
- Step 2: Once you have separated the covers, you can then remove the screws and push out the internal frame. Make sure you have a friend to hold the door glass in place as the old adhesive might be weak or worn away.
- Step 3: Use a sharp blade to scrape down the paint and seal off the frame around the glass door to loosen up any remaining adhesive.
- Step 4: Once the adhesive is loosened, remove the existing glass door. Now push to the other side where the adhesive has loosened up.
- Step 5: When you have removed the existing glass door, clean away any remaining adhesive to facilitate a smooth surface for bonding the new glass.
- Step 6: Let your friend guide the outside and inside pieces of the new glass into place lining up both the inside frame with the outside to scream them together.
- Step 7: To install the enclosed blinds, connect the new door glass using screws. Don’t over-tighten the screws and use hand-tightening of the screws for an effective finish.
- Step 8: Finally, wrap up the process by checking the screws, releasing the operator lock, and by cleaning the newly installed glass.
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How do between-the-glass blinds work?
Between-the-glass blinds are easy to operate and are equipped with two operators.
The raise-and-lower operator is large and helps to raise or lower your blinds. You can slide the operator up and down to the desired point slowly and steadily.
The open-and-close operator controls the tilt function. It is relatively smaller than the raise-and-lower operator and works the same way to tilt your blinds to adjust the amount of light.
Operating with strings
Strings are provided in Venetian blinds to act as the operators. You can pull the strings downward to lift the blinds and continue until reaching your desired stopping point. In order to lower the blinds, loosen your grip and pull the string down at a 45-degree angle to bring the blinds down.
Once the blinds reach the desired level, adjust the string perpendicular to the blinds.
You can adjust the slats by rotating the wand clockwise or counterclockwise.
Turning the wand clockwise positions the blind slat at a lower angle, and turning the wand counterclockwise positions the blind slat at a higher angle.
How to care for your blinds?
After installation, the blinds need to be properly cared for as well.
- Always make sure that the glass near the operators is clean so that the operators will slide freely.
- Use a household glass cleaner to clean the glass whenever required.
- Newly fitted between-the-glass blinds require 24-48 hours after installation to acclimate for proper performance. The time needed may differ according to geographical location, air pressure, and temperature.
- When you use the blinds for the first time or if the blinds have been in a raised position for a long time, it may be necessary to first exercise the blinds to relax the cords for the blinds to operate freely.
- Always ensure to slide the operators gently and smoothly to avoid disengaging.
- Properly maintain the operator track. Clean by removing all dirt and debris from it.
- Avoid using excessive force to open or close windows and spraying excess cleaner near the operators.
Problems with blinds between glass
- The magnetic operators tend to come loose from the internal magnets in strong motion, and they have to be re-engaged to work.
- If not used frequently, blinds get stuck in place and become difficult to operate.
- Blinds tend to get lopsided from time to time.
Pros of blinds between glass
Easy maintenance
Between-the-glass blinds are rarely exposed to everyday dirt and allergens and are concealed from them.
This facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance.
Protecting your furnishings
Exposure to bright sunlight over time can cause colors to fade.
You can notice the fabric on your chair slowly fading over time when sunlight shines in often through the window.
You can find a simple solution to this problem by using blinds to protect your furniture and rugs.
Enjoy privacy
Apart from shielding sunlight, blinds offer privacy too. You can cover the blinds accordingly when you feel like having a private moment.
Turning the slats on your blinds upward in Venetian ones offer the best position for privacy.
Moreover, blinds prevent unwanted noise and help provide a soundproof home.
Safer environment
With a modern opening and closing technique, the new blinds are comparatively safer than the traditional ones.
Cords on traditional blinds can risk strangulating young children while they are playing, unaware of their surroundings.
With no requirement for cords, the between-the-glass blinds offer a safer environment and peace of mind for the parents.
Cons of blinds between glass
Costly
Blinds between glass come with a specialty window that costs higher than the regularly used window frames.
As a result, purchasing a new window with built-in blinds is more expensive than a standard set of blinds.
Limited designs
If you are a person who wishes to check out a variety of designs before selecting a product, you may have some bad luck in this case.
Traditional blinds come in various materials such as bamboo, pine, and aluminum, while internal blinds are of limited designs.
Difficulty cleaning
Once the seal gets broken, cleaning blinds between the glass can be tedious.
The blinds may get exposed to airborne dust, and the blinds need to be taken apart by frequently removing the door or window from its casing whenever cleaning.
Low energy efficiency
Windows are usually insulated with argon by sealing them between double panes, which lowers energy efficiency by lowering the windows’ U-factor.
Windows and the window frame need to be properly sealed and insulated to prevent heat loss and maintain the high energy efficiency rating of the house.
We have covered every detail about between-the-glass blinds, starting from installation to care considerations. Apart from being versatile and user-friendly, blinds between the glass can be installed in windows, conservatories, offices, and many other rooms.
They are perfect for bi-fold and sliding doors. We hope this guide can help you decide whether to get a between-the-glass blind for your home this year. Let us know!
Sources
6 Benefits of Blinds-Between-Glass
